F1 2001

THE BAD:
Hardly any down sides to this game! One thing that has come back from the older games to haunt this game is the commentary. Although much, much improved, it is still quite repetitive - but this doesn't really affect the quality of the game in any case.

SUMMARY:
Electronic Art's latest game in the Formula 1 series - EA Formula 1 2001 - is by far the best yet. The graphics - the cars, the scenery, the textures are all much more realistic. The game features too many modes to count - single player modes include Full Championship, Team Mate Challenge, Custom Championship, Challenge Mode, Dommination, Single Race, and Quick Race. Multiplayer modes include Tag Team, Split Screen, Advantage, Time Trial and many more. The challenge mode alone should take you several months to complete fully! In the championship you will also win trophies (exactly like each individual circuit trophy in the real FIA world championship race).

Many little new innovations have been added to this game making it much more playable and exciting - such as the interactive pit, which will require you too brake to the pit limit, then steer and stop in the pit bay, gear up and accelerate out of the pits, which will potentially allow you to slice valuable seconds off your time, but make an error and you may find yourself stuck on the jacks! The game really pays attention to each and every aspect of a real Formula 1 race, including everything from FIA penalties to tyre wear to damage and failures. For example, once while I was playing, the driver in front of me on the starting grid began waving his hands as the lights went on - he stalled his engine and started from the pits. Very nice touch. Other nice touches include the pit babes hanging around the grid and the much improved computer AI - cars corner and overtake with precision, allowing no room for error on your part - they are so intelligent they will even try and slipstream you on a long straight, and will then slingshot past you!

In the pits you can tweak everything from your aerodynamics to your tyres, suspension, brakes and more. The damage in this game is also shockingly realistic - drive carelesly and anything from your suspension, nose, rear, sidepods, monocoque, or even your tyres will be damaged - or even find them rolling off the track, and then someone on the pit radio will scream into your cockpit that "your suspension has been damaged and your front left wheel has been removed, the yellow flag's out and pit immediately!". I really could go on and on, but trust me, this game is very, very realistic.

Graphics: 7/10; Wonderful graphics, but not quite in the GT3 league

Gameplay: 10/10; Never get enough of wrecking the McLarens with my Ferrari!

Lifespan: 9/10; You'll be playing this one for months

Overall: 95%

To sum things up - a fabulous game. If you're not a Formula 1 fan, this game should still prove exciting. One big question - how does this compare to SCEE Studio 33's F1 2001 on the PS2 - well, one thing's for sure, that game is also amazing, but where this game is much stronger is in it's many different modes of play and innovations, giving you better value for your money. If you are even remotely interested in Formula 1 racing, this is definetly the game for you. If you love Formula 1 with a passion, (like me!) don't think twice and add it to your collection yesterday, if not sooner!

Review ©Copyright Zero360, January 19 2002